I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7
After a long battle with cancer, James William Gooden went to be with the Lord on July 25, 2018. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Eleanor whom he was married to for sixty-three years. He also leaves behind a daughter, Kerri; a son, Barry and his wife Liza; and five grandchildren: Rebekah and her husband Drew, Travis, Kyle, and Michelle; his big brother, Sam; his many sister-in-laws (especially his favorite-you know who you are); many friends and numerous nieces and nephews survive to wish their “Uncle Bill” farewell.
James Gooden was born in Poteet, TX, into a large family. His mother and father, Mary and Sam (aka Happy), had two daughters-Dorothy and Zoretta, and six sons – Clifton, Laddie, Sam (aka ‘Coon), Vernon (aka Chico), James (aka Bill), and Burmer (aka Jitter). Bill learned a lot about being a tough negotiator from trying to keep up with his big brothers who loved to tease him. He became such a negotiator that he once earned $50 from working on a farm which he used to buy a cow, then traded the cow for a horse, ultimately trading the horse for a car! These horse-trading days may have inspired his career choice later in life as Bill was to become a Purchasing Officer for the Air Force at Kelly Air Force Base.
Bill’s most successful negotiation, however, was in winning the hand of his bride, Patricia. Bill was working at the “Dairy Go Round” malt shop while attending college and as luck would have it, into the malt shop walked the love of his life one bright, sunny day. Pat was with her cousin Lauralee and Bill plied them both with free milk shakes until he finally convinced Pat to go out with him. Then after several dates and visits to her home to gain the approval of her parents (Fred and Eleanor)…..Eleanor agreed to become his favorite mother-in-law and Pat agreed to become his wife. He could not believe his good fortune for as he put it, “He wasn’t that good looking, but he was close to it”. They married August 30, 1954, and remained married for the rest of Bill’s life.
In the beginning of their marriage, times were tough and with two small children, Bill’s pay as an Airman in the National Guard barely made ends meet. But with Bill working extra jobs and Pat’s shrewd budgeting, saving green stamps, and shopping at solo-serve…they made it. Until that is, Bill ran across a friend or neighbor who needed a loan. Bill was a very generous man who did not hesitate to hand over his last few dollars to someone else he felt needed it more. Perhaps that is why his father-in-law nicknamed him “Sweet William”.
When Bill’s kids were a little older (pre-school), he went into the cattle business with his father-in-law and he moved his family to Pat’s parents’ ranch near Henley, TX. The Gooden’s had many great adventures there. They swam in the creeks where Bill demonstrated to his children how to catch catfish with his bare hands. They went frog gigging at night and they hauled hay that smelled like peanuts at the break of dawn. The best adventure of all, though, was the Whoopie Road. Even though it was out of the way, Bill would make it a point to drive down the old country road that had a dip in it, and where you would get that roller-coaster feeling when you drove over the dip. His kids would always yell “Whoopie”, thus the name. But the best part about the Whoopie road was the smiles and laughter that they all experienced --- together!
From Henley Texas, Bill moved his family back to San Antonio, TX, when his daughter started school, but it wasn’t long before he and his family missed the country life and they moved first to Bulverde, TX and later to Boerne, TX where they reside to this day.
Every country home that his family lived in was built by Bill who acquired his carpenter skills from his earthly father, Sam and his heavenly Father. Bill was a perfectionist and made sure that every home he built was built to last! Much as his life was built upon his faith in Jesus.
Not only was Bill a great family man, but he was also a patriotic citizen. He served in the Air National Guard Reserves, was a member of the Boerne Berges Fest Association, President of the Kendall County Fair Association, served as Kendall County Commissioner and Kendall County Judge for several years. In addition, he was a member of the Masonic Lodge and a Shriner. He gave tirelessly to his country and community.
Although he worked hard all his life, Bill also knew how to enjoy himself. He had several hobbies such as pigeon racing, men’s softball league, playing poker with the guys and he was an avid golfer. He and Pat were also fantastic dancers and were known to cut a rug upon many occasions! But by far, the past-time he most enjoyed was being with his family and friends.
Bill was definitely a “Rock” to all who knew him, he was loved, and he will be missed!
A Visitation will be held Friday, August 3, 2018 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will follow on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home chapel. . In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Vitas Hospice at www.vitascommunityconnection.org or 255 East Fifth Street, Suite 1200, Cincinnati, OH 45202. To leave condolences for the family and to view a video of Bill’s life, please visit www.ebensberger-fisher.com and select Obituaries. Arrangements are with Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home of Boerne.

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5:30 PM 8/3/2018 5:30:00 PM - 7:30 PM 8/3/2018 7:30:00 PM

10:00 AM 8/4/2018 10:00:00 AM

Vitas Hospice

255 East Fifth Street, Suite 1200
Cincinnati, OH 45202 Welcome to James's Memorial Wall
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